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Bigger is not always BETTER....just Bigger

Sail Date:
July 2013

Destination:
Eastern Caribbean

Embarkation:
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

We took our family of four and two grandmothers on what we expected to be a wonderful vacation. After cruising many other ships we expected to deal with other people on elevators, in dining areas, pool area etc. However, this ship carrying over 5,000 people was too much to allow for a reasonably nice time.

Pros-Getting on the ship was fairly easy and only took a few minutes before we were onboard. Upon stepping on the ship we were naturally amazed at how huge the promenade was, much larger than anything we had seen before. The ship is massive!

Unfortunately, in reviewing this ship there isn't much I can provide that is positive. After getting to our stateroom with a balcony, it was clear to us that most of the space on this ship was provided for other areas...not the rooms. It was the smallest balcony room we had ever stayed in, having very little space for suitcases, clothing or simply walking around the bed. The bathroom was especially tiny. Also, upon entering our More
room, it was obvious that the attendant didn't pay any attention to detail. We found ladies panties lying on the bathroom floor from the previous cruisers!

Although we don't spend alot of time in the room, it would be nice to be comfortable while there. Dining provided average food but nothing to WOW you. Our waiters were exceptal and made our dining experience better than it would have been. The windjammer buffet style dining was nothing great and was not any bigger than other smaller ships which made it difficult unless you got there at opening times.

Beware, cruising on this ship is about the SHIP not the ports, providing limited time on the islands. My husband and I purchased two watches while on the ship. Since the purchase was a large amount of money (one Omega watch & one TAG) we felt like we received a decent deal due to the duty-free. The salesman and manager of the store had ensured us that because we were buying on the ship and not on the islands, we would also NOT have to claim the purchase with customs. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!

Upon getting off the ship, our seapasses were flagged and we were escorted off the ship by an employee of Royal Caribbean and taken right to customs to ensure we claimed the purchase and paid since it was over the $800 limit. We expressed our thoughts of this scam used as a selling point to get peopole to buy on the ship vs the islands. Customs was polite and certainly understood our disappointment and anger.

Lesson learned in traveling, shopping and spending our vacation with RC. We will not cruise this ship again and most likely return to other cruise lines that offer better service, less people and a smaller ship. Less